The Belgians made so much money from slave-harvested rubber that they indeed built decent highways and other infrastructure. Of course, those weren’t for the indigenous population, only motor vehicles could use them. After the revolution, the nation had no finance, expertise and stability to maintain them.
Yup, Leopold II was just insanely evil. He had illiterate tribal chiefs unknowingly sign their land away, and to avoid slavery accusations, the Leopold-led “Congo Free State’s” people only labored unwillingly to “pay their taxes”. To prevent the mostly indigenous patrols from revolting, their ammo was only replenished if they returned the right hand of a victim per bullet. They were underfed and needed to hunt, obtaining extra bullets by maiming innocent people. However, Leopold II was very good at managing PR, basically a trailblazer for modern politicians and CEOs, so few people understood the conditions the rubber was harvested under and he avoided consequences for policies that killed millions. Just as Congo gained independence, Belgium started a civil war to try to wrestle power back. The CIA also destabilized the region by various operations including the assassination of Patrice Lumumba.
A very good 3-part episode from Behind the Bastards podcast series on Congo: 123
And I’m sure everyone traveling in such a vehicle would be happily welcomed by the local population considering the friendly nature of Leopold mere decades earlier.
Ah yes, the Belgium Congo - a location known for wide turning circles and nice flat, even road surfaces.
The Belgians made so much money from slave-harvested rubber that they indeed built decent highways and other infrastructure. Of course, those weren’t for the indigenous population, only motor vehicles could use them. After the revolution, the nation had no finance, expertise and stability to maintain them.
The Belgians tortured and killed for profit in such horrendous numbers that even their allies were very uncomfortable.
Yup, Leopold II was just insanely evil. He had illiterate tribal chiefs unknowingly sign their land away, and to avoid slavery accusations, the Leopold-led “Congo Free State’s” people only labored unwillingly to “pay their taxes”. To prevent the mostly indigenous patrols from revolting, their ammo was only replenished if they returned the right hand of a victim per bullet. They were underfed and needed to hunt, obtaining extra bullets by maiming innocent people. However, Leopold II was very good at managing PR, basically a trailblazer for modern politicians and CEOs, so few people understood the conditions the rubber was harvested under and he avoided consequences for policies that killed millions. Just as Congo gained independence, Belgium started a civil war to try to wrestle power back. The CIA also destabilized the region by various operations including the assassination of Patrice Lumumba.
A very good 3-part episode from Behind the Bastards podcast series on Congo: 1 2 3
Did the Belgians asdassinate you?
Not me but millions of other people. They were also planning to assassinate Patrice Lumumba but the CIA beat them to it.
How does this even turn?
With great difficulty
The picture makes me think that both the front and middle wheels turn.
With the two front sets of wheels and not very well I would imagine.
And I’m sure everyone traveling in such a vehicle would be happily welcomed by the local population considering the friendly nature of Leopold mere decades earlier.